Southern Moderate African American Issues

Smoke-filled Rooms: Everyone

Political Parties’ major moves were once decided behind the scenes in smoke-filled rooms by party bosses. It’s often said that it makes no difference who is on the stage or dais. The question is who is in the room when the money is counted; there you will find real power.

Huey Long, Boss Tweed, Maynard Jackson and George Busbee were parts of political machines that made decisions privately then let the public in on the plans. In the Democratic Party today, there is no similar organizational structure and that might be a good thing. Barack Obama was told it was Hillary’s turn but he ignored the process, put together his own operation and won. It wasn’t Trump’s turn but he did the same. Inside the Democratic Party of Georgia, the bosses didn’t want Stacey Abrams but she created an operation based more on the national Progressive Movement than the political party. How did Bernie Sanders come in second in the Democrat presidential nominating process when he isn’t even a Dem?

Should the smoke-filled rooms return to hash out better plans and guard the agenda of the Democrat Party? The TEA Party Movement took over the Republican Party and the Progressive Movement might do the same to the Democrats without some boss moves.

In this era of inclusion, my friends and I jokingly say that there would be different kinds of smoke in the room today. You would have a few old school cigar chompers at the table from Big Labor talking with new school elites who prefer a $25 Montecristo. Because the racial makeup of the Georgia Dems has changed, the Black and Mild crew needs to be there next to the Backwoods pickup truck guys and girls. Since the Progressive Movement strongly advocates for reform of marijuana laws, the weed smokers can be in the backroom but they can’t light up. Agriculture is Georgia’s biggest industry so the smokeless tobacco guys with the circle on their jeans need to be in the room.

Suburban educated voters are vital to the Democratic team so the non-smokers can enjoy some smoked trout and smoked Gouda. The international types and hipsters can even have their hookah or vape.

The Democrats can’t win without diversity and understanding. Back in the 90s, the southern Dem coalition included African Americans who were recent Negroes and Dixiecrats who were recent segregationists. “Go to the polls and hold your nose.”

Moderates are prepared to work with everyone. A stronger, more vocal Moderate and Centrist segment of the Dem Party could attract needed suburban voters. We would have once called 2019 an “off election” year. But, the grind continues without stopping. Activists are registering new voters and this blog would like to use this year to actually listen to the people while building a grassroots network in South Georgia.